Cons

Bottom Line

THIS PROPERTY HAS UNDERGONE RENOVATIONS SINCE OUR VISIT. WE WILL UPDATE THE PHTOS AND TEXT AS SOON AS WE CAN. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood within 10 minutes of the Sunset Strip, the 114-room Chamberlain has spacious rooms and a lovely rooftop pool. It's a fine hotel, though it's also worth considering the London West Hollywood, which has larger, somewhat more attractive rooms, a spectacular rooftop pool and fitness area, and a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.

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The unpretentious Chamberlain offers clean, spacious rooms, a pleasant rooftop pool, and a relaxed scene, but its best days have passed.

Charming design in the lobby

Blink and you might miss the Chamberlain, pleasantly tucked away in a quiet residential pocket just a few minutes' walk from the Sunset Strip and the heart of West Hollywood. The hotel has 114 spacious, renovated rooms, an unpretentious vibe, and a nice rooftop pool, keeping right up there with its nearest competition, in particular the London.

Rooms range from a spacious-for-the-area 450 square feet (studio) to 650 square feet (one-bedroom suite), and each room comes with a balcony and gas fireplace. (Strangely, there are still a handful of permanent residents here, as evidenced by signs on their doors and some nonhotel-issue furniture on their balconies). After a renovation in December 2010, the One Bedroom and Executive suites still have all of the same amenities, like the fireplaces and balconies, but have been redesigned with fresh paint, wallpaper, and bathroom utilities. Now the rooms are comparable to the 750-square-foot, impeccably furnished suites five minutes away at the 200-room, but very private, London. One downside to the Chamberlain is that it's only four stories high on a downward sloping, shady, treelined street, which means that some rooms on the ground floor are unbearably dark.

Pets under 25 lbs. can stay for a fee, which is good for one week. Owners must also sign a waiver about being responsible for any damage caused by their pet.

The hotel also features a small business center with two Macs and two PCs and a fitness center that was renovated in 2012.

One of the hotel's greatest assets is its location, just a couple minutes' walk to the buzzing boulevards of Santa Monica, La Cienega, and Sunset. The Chamberlain's lobby, designed by David McCauley, a protégé of renowned interior designer Kelly Wearstler of the Viceroy in Santa Monica, still has plenty of charm. Herringbone tile, a tuxedo sofa, and neoclassical chairs add style, but the area can't fit more than about five people at a time. The rooftop pool, where an episode of Paris Hilton's My New BFF was filmed, is lovely, but much smaller than the London's, which also has poolside food and drink service from Gordon Ramsay. And with no dedicated concierge or proper doormen, the service doesn't impress. Front desk staffers take on multiple rolls, and, unfortunately, they don't always deliver.

Location

Chamberlain is located in a residential section of West Hollywood, a five-minute walk from the Sunset Strip, the mile-and-a-half stretch of Sunset Boulevard known for its cutting-edge rock clubs and night spots and its collection of premier boutiques and restaurants.

Five- to 10-minute walk from famed music clubs like Whiskey A Go-Go, the Roxy, and Viper Room

Touristy Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the celebrity footsteps at Grauman's Chinese Theatre are a 10-minute drive.

Depending on traffic, the drive to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can take up to 1.5 hours.

Avoid a pricey cab from the airport (typically $45 to $50) by opting for a shuttle bus like SuperShuttle, which costs about one-third as much.

Food

Chamberlain has one bistro restaurant just off the side of the main lobby. Many dishes at Bistro incorporate European and local Californian flavors to modern American foods. The restaurant is open for all meals, and menus can be found on Chamberlain's website. Patio seating is available.

Guests are also welcome to dine on the rooftop, but food must be ordered through room service.

In-room dining is available 24 hours.

Bottom Line

THIS PROPERTY HAS UNDERGONE RENOVATIONS SINCE OUR VISIT. WE WILL UPDATE THE PHTOS AND TEXT AS SOON AS WE CAN. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood within 10 minutes of the Sunset Strip, the 114-room Chamberlain has spacious rooms and a lovely rooftop pool. It's a fine hotel, though it's also worth considering the London West Hollywood, which has larger, somewhat more attractive rooms, a spectacular rooftop pool and fitness area, and a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.